Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is slated to speak at a Monday event with the candidate challenging Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie in Tuesday’s primary election.
America First Works (AFW) announced Sunday that Hegseth and former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein would be speaking Monday in Hebron, Ky. to celebrate the “Great American Comeback.” AFW President Ashley Hayek expressed excitement about the appearance of the secretary. (RELATED: Trump-Backed Massie Challenger Faces Questions Over Military Awards, Divorce Records)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 15: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), speaks during the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Second Amendment hearing in Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Luke Johnson/Getty Images)
“This event will provide a unique chance for the American people to hear from leaders of the America First movement and patriots who share the values that made our Nation great. Our Nation is experiencing a comeback like never before, but we must fight to keep these America First principles going or risk losing what we’ve gained,” Hayek says in the release. “We are thrilled to host this event in Northern Kentucky with the Honorable Pete Hegseth and Ed Gallrein to discuss the ideas and values driving America’s renewal and shaping our future.”
Massie, who is seeking his ninth term in the House of Representatives, has clashed with the Trump administration over the Justice Department’s handling of files pertaining to registered sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, as well as the president’s tariff policy. He has also repeatedly sided with Democrats seeking to halt Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military’s strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran which began Feb. 28.
Trump has supported Gallrein’s primary challenge to Massie, who he views as an obstacle to his political agenda. The president has even called for a “good and proper” challenger for Republican Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, who endorsed Massie in the contentious primary.
“The Great People of Kentucky are wise to Massie — He only votes against the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left,” Trump wrote Sunday to Truth Social. “Unlike ‘lightweight’ Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. Election Day is Tuesday, May 19th. VOTE FOR ED GALLREIN — HE HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
In response to a request for comment by the Daily Caller News Foundation, Massie’s campaign sent an X post by the congressman referencing The Daily Caller’s Sunday report about questions involving Gallrein’s military service.
Is this why the Secretary of War is coming to Kentucky… to distract voters from Ed’s ever evolving (and expanding) description of his military service?https://t.co/mThiEFTIHc
— Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) May 17, 2026
“Is this why the Secretary of War is coming to Kentucky… to distract voters from Ed’s ever evolving (and expanding) description of his military service?” Massie’s post reads.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated with a response from the Massie campaign.
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